New Canaan Community Foundation Honors Outstanding Residents

NEW CANAAN, CT — The New Canaan Community Foundation held its Spirit of New Canaan Luncheon on April 28 at the Country Club of New Canaan.

According to a news release provided by the foundation, nearly 450 community members attended the event, which raised funds for the Spirit of New Canaan Fund, supporting projects of significance in town.

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The 2022 Spirit of New Canaan Luncheon honored Barb Achenbaum, Jim & Dede Bartlett, and Monica Capela Chimera and Allyson Mahoney of the New Canaan Moms Community Collective. The awardees were honored for going above and beyond to make an impact in the community and help improve people’s lives.

CEO Lauren Patterson said the honorees are "true philanthropists, especially when considering philanthropy’s root meaning as 'love of mankind.' They have each in their own way given of themselves to make the world a better place."

Dede Bartlett described how she and her husband Jim approach charitable giving.

"It is very simple, it’s three words," Bartlett said in a news release, "it’s passion, it's purpose and it's people. Passion to support the community that we love, the organizations that enhance the quality of life in this incredible little town. Purpose to support the organizations that do critical work in health, women’s empowerment, education, and seniors. And people - to support the outstanding individuals and leaders of these organizations."

This year’s luncheon was co-chaired by Jayne Benton and Katherine Megrue-Smith, leading a committee of nearly 45 dedicated local volunteers who helped coordinate the event.

The Foundation thanks the many local businesses that supported this event through corporate sponsorships. The Platinum level sponsor was New Canaan Television 79.

Gold level sponsors were Bank of America Private Bank, Bankwell, Karl Chevrolet, People's United Bank, and Stamford Health. Silver level sponsors were The Lighthouse, Reynolds + Rowella, Rucci Law Group, Silver Hill Hospital, and Walter Stewarts Market.

Bronze level sponsors were Educational Futures, HTG Investment Advisors, New Canaan Board of Realtors, New Canaan YMCA, RAND Insurance, and Personal Training Professionals (PTP).

The event was filmed and broadcast by New Canaan Television 79, allowing supporters who could not attend to watch virtually, according to the foundation.

Further information can be found at www.newcanaancf.org.